Erfanian SS, Ansari H, Javanmard SH, Amini Z, Hajigholami A. The hepatorenal protective effects of silymarin in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
BMC Complement Med Ther 2024;
24:329. [PMID:
39232773 PMCID:
PMC11375936 DOI:
10.1186/s12906-024-04627-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases globally that may have side effects on liver and renal function. Pharmacological treatments to reduce adverse liver and renal effects are still limited. It has been proposed that silymarin may possess hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. The present trial aims to assess the hepatorenal protective efficacy of silymarin supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting.
METHOD
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that recruited female breast cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned to one placebo group and two intervention groups. The control group received 140 mg of placebo daily, while the two intervention groups received 140 mg silymarin daily. Follow-up assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. At the beginning of the study, the patients were subjected to a computed tomography (CT) scan, and the liver and renal parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine (Cr) were examined through laboratory tests.
RESULTS
Despite two deaths and three dropouts, 100 patients completed the study. Silymarin showed significant effects on liver enzymes in the levels of ALP and bilirubin (P < 0.05), with no significant impact on renal function in the levels of Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine (Cr) (P > 0.05). The medication was well-tolerated, with minimal reported side effects (P > 0.05).
DISCUSSION
The study suggests that silymarin may have hepato-renal protective potential in breast cancer patients and improve patient tolerance to chemotherapy. The data presented on the efficacy and safety of silymarin may provide stronger foundation for further trials and for a possible use in clinical practice.
TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration Number: IRCT20201123049474N2, First Trial Registration: 16/08/2021, Access: https://www.irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/57641.
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